This gregarious little bird (10cm) is common in Central Australia and ranges over most of the continent, avoiding only the cool moist south and the tropical far north. It also can be found natively in Indonesia and Timor-Leste. The bird has been introduced to Puerto Rico, Portugal, Brazil, and the U.S. They are also popular cage-birds.
Zebra Finches inhabit a wide range of grasslands and forests, usually close to water. This ground-dweller prefers to eat grass seeds. Wild birds are adaptable and varied in their nesting habits, with nests being found in cavities, scrub, low trees, bushes, on the ground, in termite hills, rabbit burrows, nests of other birds, and in the cracks, crevices, and ledges of human structures. Outside of the breeding time, brood nests are constructed for sleeping in.
Zebra Finches are loud and boisterous singers. A significant amount of research and discourse surrounds the mechanisms of song of the Zebra Finch. Their call can be a loud beep, meep, oi! or a-ha!, sounding something like a toy trumpet or the buttons on a phone being pushed. Their song is a few small beeps, leading up to a rhythmic song of varying complexity in males. Each male's song is different, although birds of the same bloodline will exhibit similarities, and all finches will overlay their own uniqueness onto a common rhythmic framework. Sons generally learn the song of their father with little variation. Songs may change during puberty, but afterwards they are locked in for the life of the bird.
[All text: Ref (112)]
No comments:
Post a Comment